Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

[Shabah 182]

I bought a used 18 foot Mariah bowrider boat last year with the intent of dipping my toes back into boating. We moved from Connecticut to Massachusetts and figured we could try out different spots and see what we like. Kids are away at college so we are empty nesters. As it turns out, we fell in love with launching our boat in Somerset MA and boating about 30 miles down the Taunton River, into the Mount Hope Bay and down to Newport RI for waterfront food and a few beers. The lakes just did not do it for us. The bay gets pretty rough some days and we have to stay up river, but other days we make it all the way down and dock with the big money boats in Newport and hang out. Mornings are usually calmer so we buzz down early if possible. The winds give us a following sea on the way back. I am a long time boater and very comfortable with navigation. I have a hand held gps and VHF on board plus charts and all Coast Guard required gear. 2 - 3 foot seas are my limit (10 - 12 mph winds). I know my I/O bow rider is the wrong boat for what we ar doing, but I feel safe. We are always in sight of land and other boats, typically big boats. Am I crazy to do this in my size boat?

 

[keninaz]

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

Just my thoughts~

I lived on salt water most of my life. The winds, tides and such can create waves, rollers as I called them and bad conditions in a hurry the bays and even bigger lakes.
I never cared for a bow rider type boat. I have seen too many people that have taken on water too easy when they nosed into the waves.
I have also seen those types of boats take on enough water doing that to drown the electrics on the motor and disable the motor.
Personally I prefer a solid bow up front over the convenience of seating for passengers.
Just watch closely for changing conditions and take care when you are boating.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

A big part of the safety resides in the operator so you actually need to practice in stormy water and take the time to learn from experts as to how to handle rough seas. A couple of necessities for an 18' bowrider in rough water are a bow cover you take with you to put on if the weather picks up and adjustable trim tabs so you can set the attitude of the boat for your speed and direction of travel.
My 18' was out in significant storms many times on a large mountain lake. It gets a bit entertaining if you are loaded heavy but not too bad if you are light. The ocean is a different kind of problem due to the scale, but at least the storms don't come up as fast.
Take the time to learn and you can have a lot of fun.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

Been there, done that, would never have a closed bow boat again.. Bowriders are just too convenient.

We boat in Lake Erie. It can go from a dead calm to 4 footers in 15 minutes. It takes only a few minutes to put on my tight fitting bow cover. Then, even if I did take a nosedive, no water would come in anyway.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

i boat were you go boating to in the mount hope river and sakonnet river your in a 18' boat near shore your just fine. i see people out there in 13' boats in 2' rollers and more. i'm out there in my 14' boat with 3' rollers and i'm just fine cuz i have a closed bow, just get a bow cover and you all good

 

[keninaz]

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

Just a note, I have seen those bow covers collapse in the SF bay. I my opinion they are good for light rain and such, not for nosing into waves should that happen.
The water weight quickly exceeds the ability of the cover.
I towed one in that swamped in the early 90s just that way.

 

[Shabah 182]

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

I forgot to mention that I have a nice bow cover that was custom made last summer. I use it whenever I see whitecaps. To date I have not taken any waves over the bow, just some splashing. I also have Smart tabs which have helped a lot in rough conditions. We usually tool down the river at planing speed of about 18 mph, thanks to those tabs! Can't say enough good things about them. When the waters are calm, I open her up for a short romp at 50 mph.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

Sounds like you get "it". Just keep being smart, wear your pfd, use your killswitch lanyard, manage your bow height, run for shore as needed, have the anchor ready if something awful happens. Just be smart and safe, as it sounds you are.
Cautious people generally don't become statistics. On the day the water is too rough just stay where you are.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

I would say that you are not crazy. But there are crazy people out there who would do what you're doing!

It'a all about the captain's skill and experience. You know your limitations, and also have assessed the risk of an overwash. To counter the risk a bit, I'd suggest the bow cover (you got it) and double bilge pumps.

 

[sasto]

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

I see no problem....my thinking......we took an 18footer to West End, Bahamas from Florida. 58 miles one way. BUT...I was single with not a care in the world. Hence the name SASTO. Liquid courage helped too.

Have fun, enjoy yourself, and keep the dirty side down.

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

If you have to ask you probably shouldn't do it.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Small boat, big fun. Are we pushing it?

If you have to ask you probably shouldn't do it.

I used to have a rule of thumb from back in my flying days: if you were worried about fuel, you didn't have enough. That could easily be tranferred to the OP's original question, which is what you've done. If he's worried about it, he shouldn't do it. His gut will tell him the truth.